1 week ago
DR Congo Ebola Cases Surpass 5,500 as WHO Warns
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has infected more than 5,500 people.
More than 2,600 people have died, while 1,200 have recovered.
The outbreak is spreading across 57 health zones in six provinces.
Ituri has the largest share of cases and deaths.
The World Health Organisation says the outbreak is growing faster than response teams can control it.
Many people are dying in their communities before reaching treatment centres.
Fighting, unsafe conditions, travel problems and distrust are making the response harder.
More laboratories and treatment beds are now available.
The WHO says the next few months will be very important for slowing the disease.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded 5,514 confirmed Ebola cases and 2,642 deaths.
The outbreak has spread across 57 health zones in six provinces, with Ituri accounting for most cases and deaths.
The WHO says transmission is outpacing control efforts more than 100 days after the outbreak was declared.
About 60% of recent fatalities occurred in communities rather than Ebola treatment centres.
Testing and treatment capacity have expanded, but insecurity, displacement, attacks and limited access continue to hinder the response.
- Who
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo government, the World Health Organisation, health workers and affected communities are responding to the outbreak.
- What
- An Ebola outbreak caused by Bundibugyo ebolavirus has reached 5,514 confirmed cases and 2,642 deaths.
- Where
- The outbreak has spread across 57 health zones in Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Bas-Uele and Tshopo provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- When
- The latest figures covered data through Saturday; the outbreak was declared in May and has continued for more than 100 days.
- Why
- Transmission is being sustained by insecurity, conflict, displacement, attacks on health facilities, community reluctance and difficult access to care.
Key facts
- Confirmed cases
- 5,514
- Deaths
- 2,642
- Case fatality rate
- 47.9%
- Recovered patients
- 1,200
- Affected health zones
- 57
- Testing capacity
- 19 laboratories processing more than 3,000 samples per day
- Treatment capacity
- More than 1,300 beds, up from fewer than 10
Quotes
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
WHO Director-General
“This outbreak has reached a defining moment. The choices we make now will determine how quickly we can bring this outbreak under control, protect and save lives.”
thehansindia.com
“We can bring the Ebola outbreak under control but only through scaled-up action in affected communities.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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